Contents

Types of Soapboxers

Soapboxers in GTA IV are generally classified into two groups.

The first are African American preachers who constantly warn about doom for humanity. They appear to be rather eccentric but delusional, their statements often lacking factual basis. Even so, they believe that what they're saying is true. They are most likely a play on the "bible belt" fundamentalist preachers who often come into large cities (such as Washington, D.C. and New York City) to preach "the good word" to anyone passing by. There are a variety of randomized character models of preachers, each with their own view on what hell is in store for those who are nonbelievers and heaven that those who believe will go to when they die; a handful of preachers may also hold what appears to be a religious book, but close inspection reveals it is simply a book also held by generic pedestrians.

The other form of soapboxers are White American conspiracy theorists who attempt to spread far-fetched conspiracy theories relating to the government and criticize the seeming conformity of society. They warn of how corrupt the government is (specifically, that of the United States) and how the government spies on them (stating on one occasion, for example, that the government has put "robots" into the drinking water). On other occasions, they tend to express they wish for a conspiracy-free society, and their unconditional love of everyone.

Behavior

A soapboxer being berated by a gathering of pedestrians in Middle Park.

Soapboxers rarely appear alone, and are often accompanied by a crowd of other NPC pedestrians. They are often looked down upon by passers by, who usually abuse them verbally. Despite receiving constant insults, soapboxers tend to continue on with their soapboxing regardless, and may often be heard looping the same preach over and over again.

The only way soapboxers can be silenced is if the soapboxer is threatened with a weapon (with a weapon aimed at them), or is physically attacked by the player or NPCs (i.e. via punches, a weapon, or a simple vehicular accident) or if the player trigger a mission (for example Call Little Jacob for job). If the soapboxer manages to survive the initial onslaught, they will stop their preaching and attempt to flee. Also, just as normal pedestrians, if the player is to attack a soapboxer, they will either run away in fear or choose to fight back.

Grand Theft Auto V

In GTA V, many random encounters marked as friends appear soapboxing in specific areas of San Andreas, usually about aliens, government taxes, foreign people, cults, Vinewood movies or even preaching about the Epsilon Program. These soapboxers will be marked on the radar by a light blue point when the player gets close to them, and sometimes the protagonist can start a conversation with them, each of the protagonists will have a different conversation with each soapboxer.
A few soapboxers cannot be interacted with, like Jesco White dancing, the mimes or the Liberty Preacher. Many of the soapboxers, when encountered for the first time, unlock their characters for use in Director Mode.